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1941-1989
1941
Marion A. (Ecker) Painter celebrated her 104th birthday on Sept. 6, 2022. When she was a foreign exchange teacher in Manchester, England, in 1948–49, she had tea with Princess Elizabeth.
1960
(PHOTO) Carol A. (Stiffler) Coughenour purchased Juniata shirts for her JC legacy family in September 2019. Three years later, on Dec. 25, 2022, she and her husband were finally able to gather in person with their daughter and three granddaughters. They are Juniata proud! Pictured (l–r) with their legacy shirts are Candice (Coughenour) Hersh, retired associate director of marketing at Juniata, Carol (Stiffler) Coughenour ’60, Jamie (Hersh) Crotsley ’11, Stephanie (Hersh) Rader ’10, Valerie Hersh ’16, and Donald Coughenour ’59.
1963
(PHOTO) Ronald R. Blanck Lieutenant General, was the focus of an exhibit unveiled by the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley titled “From Ephrata to Three Star General,” which had its official grand opening on July 16, 2022. Ron served in Vietnam, is past commander of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and was the 39th Surgeon General of the U.S. Army. The exhibit tells the story of his life and career, displaying a collection of personal items, photographs, awards, honors, and medals. The exhibit was open through December in the Theodore R. Sprecher Museum in the Connell Mansion. Additionally, in late 2022, Ron was selected by Intealth as Interim President of the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research.
1973
Linda D. (Walters) Simmons retired in 2021 after working for 48 years as a registered medical technologist for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
1975
Howard M. Nathan retired in January 2021 as president and CEO of the Gift of Life Donor Program after 43+ years. He has since become executive director of the Transplant Foundation, and the Gift of Life Family House was renamed Gift of Life Howie’s House in his honor. The program also launched Beyond Measure: The Howard M. Nathan Impact Fund benefitting Gift of Life Howie’s House.
1976
Jeffrey J. Wood was nominated by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf to fill an interim duty as Magisterial District Judge in Juniata and Perry counties. He will serve through Dec. 31, 2023.
1978
(PHOTO) Richard A. Smith and wife Karen celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary by taking a trip to the Poconos. They were married Aug. 6, 1982, and they have three children and four grandchildren.
1981
(PHOTO) John Kuriyan was named dean of Vanderbilt School of Medicine Basic Sciences. His appointment was effective Jan. 1, 2023, and he will play a crucial role in advancing the university’s goal of expanding global research impact. John has taught molecular and cell biology and chemistry and is a member of various esteemed science academies and organizations. He is a widely published and cited scholar in his field. John’s research focuses on molecular switches in the cell and drugs used to treat cancer at the molecular level. He has received numerous scientific honors.
1982
Regina K. (Wood) Pollard retired from Alfred State College (SUNY) in May 2022. She was granted Professor Emeritus status.
1983
Ronald J. Bowser II received his doctorate degree in divinity in August 2022.
1984
Jay E. Jones began his 35th year as a full-time appointed clergy in the United Methodist Church. He is serving Trucksville United Methodist Church.
1989
(PHOTO) Michael S. Barnett gathered with friends from the classes of 1988–1990 in Corolla, N.C., for the third consecutive year. All participants enjoyed the reunion and plan to gather again in the fall of 2023. Pictured (l–r) back row: Timothy Wilson ’89, Jonathan Seckinger ’90, Steven Grater ’89, Scott Swartz ’89, Michael Barnett ’89, and Daniel Corazzi ’88. Pictured (l–r) front row: David Fouse ’89 and Christopher Glover ’89.
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1990-2009
1992
Stephanie L. (Smith) Landis is president of the Rotary Club of Boyertown and academy director for STEM Youth Explorer Academy for Rotary District 7430.
1995
Pamela A. Yanora Hughes was inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame. At Tunkhannock Area High School, she excelled in basketball, volleyball, and track and field, earning 12 letters overall. At Juniata, she earned three letters in volleyball.
1999
Jonathan S. Comitz was selected to the 2022 list as a member of the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, an organization of legal excellence. Only the top one percent of attorneys in the country are awarded membership. Jonathan focuses his practice on personal injury cases and commercial disputes.
2000
Jessica L. (Yutzey) Quinter was selected to serve as Zone 2 Director for the National Association of Elementary School Principals. She will begin her three-year term in August 2023, serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Jessica is currently principal of Park Forest Elementary School in State College.
Kunio M. Sayanagi started a new position in September 2022 as a research physical scientist at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. His responsibilities include developing new spacecraft designs for exploring planets and moons in our solar system.
2001
Ray J. Snyder was appointed as an executive board member for the National Association of Dual Diagnosis. His work with individuals with a dual diagnosis started with his human services degree from Juniata.
2003
Emily M. Coyle received 2023 Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch in America” recognition for her excellence in personal injury litigation.
Jessica L. (Pritchard) Ickes was promoted to vice president for compliance and accreditation at Florida Institute of Technology in May 2022. She oversees the accreditation, compliance, risk, and legal functions of the university.
2006
Nicole M. (McLellan) Ayers was selected to be Juniata College’s Director of Athletics. Nikki stated, “This place holds a very special place in my heart, and I am excited to hit the ground running this summer working with the amazing coaches, staff, and student athletes… I firmly believe that our coaches and student athletes have the passion and ability to take Juniata to the next level.” Most recently, she spent six years at Claremont McKenna College, where she was the Associate AD/SWA. In 2018, she was the first soccer player inducted into Juniata’s Sports Hall of Fame.
2007
Benjamin R. Waxman spoke on campus on Feb. 1, 2023, about how his Juniata education helped lead him to his elected position. Ben was elected to the Pennsylvania State House to represent the 182nd legislative district in Center City Philadelphia in November 2022.
2009
Johncarlo B. Perna’s company, Hamilton Building Supply, raised $33,747 for Type 1 Diabetes during their November fundraising campaign. The fundraiser supported the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and Hamilton Building Supply matched every dollar donated. John is president and co-owner of the company.
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2010-2022
2010
Evan R. Hughes received his doctorate in applied experimental psychology in the summer of 2022.
Jessica E. Mauch was named as one of Claims and Litigation Management Alliance’s 2022 Phenoms Under 40.
(PHOTO) Friends from the Class of 2010 reunited at the end of summer 2022. Pictured (l–r) are Paul Dennehy ’10, Megan (Peterson) Slocum ’10, Carlee (Dickey) Slocum ’10, Jordan Yeagley ’10, and Danny Reed ’10.
2015
Vincent R. Knecht graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy’s PharmD program. He also received the Merck Award.
Ethan V. Wilt has been named chair of the Huntingdon County United Way 2022–23 campaign. He currently serves as first assistant to Huntingdon County District Attorney David Smith ‘89. Ethan selected the campaign theme “Beginning With a Single Step” and said the chairmanship is an honor, stating, “Huntingdon County has been so good to me over the years, and I’m excited for the opportunity to give back.” The official kick off of the campaign was during the annual “Day of Caring” on Sept. 21.
2016
Brittany N. Meier began working as an insights consultant for Chadwick Martin Bailey on June 27, 2022. She earned her Ph.D. from East Carolina University in December and was named Outstanding Occupational Health Psychology Ph.D. Student (2021–2022).
2018
(PHOTO) Kyle T. Heasley earned his doctorate of veterinary medicine from Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. On June 1, he began working as a full-time veterinarian at Town & Country Animal Hospital in Warriors Mark, Pa., where he provides services for large farm animals and small domestic animals.
2019
Scott M. Rahner Jr. graduated with a master of arts in Reading from Montclair State University and obtained the Reading Specialist certification. He is employed as a middle school special education teacher in the New Providence School District in New Jersey.
2021
(PHOTO) Audrey M. Kulberg taught English on a Fulbright grant in Mongolia for the past year.
2022
Grace G. Cook-Huffman received the annual award from the Huntingdon Branch of the Association of American University Women (AAUW). The award is given every year to a Juniata College senior woman planning to continue her education at the graduate school level. Grace’s future graduate studies will be in communication and higher education.
(PHOTO) Holly E. Uses completed the Disney College Program Sales Internship position at Walt Disney World from August 2022 to January 2023. She worked at 15 locations across Disney property in various merchandise environments and hopes to continue her career with Disney.
